Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 27 August 2019, the regular meeting of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis was held. At it, deputies reviewed the results of the implementation of the State budget and the budgets of state trust funds in the first half of 2019.

This issue was first thoroughly discussed at meetings of factions of political parties and a deputy group from the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan, as well as the responsible committee of the Legislative Chamber.

At the meeting, deputies noted that in recent years in our country much attention has been paid to improving the openness and transparency of budget data, further strengthening parliamentary and public control over the formation and spending of budget funds.

In the first half of 2019, State budget revenues increased by 52.9 percent compared to the same period of last year, the forecasted plan was implemented by 108.9 percent, its share in gross domestic product amounted to 22.8 percent.

The country’s GDP made up about 222.0 trillion soums, compared with last year, increased by 5.8 percent. In particular, if in the sectoral structure the share of agriculture, forestry and fisheries decreased by 27.3 percent to 24.3, then the share of industry grew from 27.1 to 30.3 percent, the share of construction - from 7.3 to 7.6 percent. The total income of the population amounted to 153.3 trillion soums, a nominal growth of 121.7 percent was achieved compared to the corresponding period of 2018.

It was noted at the meeting that comprehensive measures taken in the development of the country’s economy in the fiscal sphere, improving tax administration and intergovernmental relations, and strengthening the revenue base of local budgets yielded results. The deputies focused on the execution of revenues of the State budget, which amounted to 50.7 trillion soums during the reporting period, thereby achieving an increase of 52.9 percent compared to the same period of last year, the plan was implemented by more than 4.13 trillion soums, or by 108.9 percent.

Members of parliament also paid special attention to the expenses of the State budget. It was noted that these expenses (excluding state trust funds) amounted to 55.26 trillion soums. In the reporting period, the social orientation of the state budget expenditures was ensured, 54.4 percent of the total expenditures were spent on the sphere.

The main focus was on timely financing of targeted programs for the consistent increase in real incomes of the population and its social protection, the development of education, health, culture, science, literature, art and sports, the construction of affordable housing, which will further improve the living conditions of the population in cities and rural areas, development and modernization of social infrastructure.

The meeting emphasized that the fulfillment of the tasks outlined by the President of the country to further improve the living conditions of the population, the implementation of such large projects of social significance as the construction of affordable housing, was a priority in the execution of the State budget.

Only for fulfilling the parameters for 2019 of the programs “Obod Qishloq” and “Obod Mahalla”m 136.1 billion soums were spent. In addition, a high assessment was given that 54.5 percent of social expenses were allocated to the education sector, the amount of funds for the health sector from the State budget amounted to 6.63 trillion soums.

Funds in the amount of 27.94 trillion soums were allocated from the State budget for expenses for the social sphere and social support of the population. 657.5 billion soums were allocated from the State budget for benefits paid to people with disabilities since childhood, which indicates increasing attention to this area.

As a result of measures taken to increase the independence and responsibility of local authorities in the formation of local budgets and the efficient use of funds, in the first half of this year, additional funds in the amount of 2.6 trillion soums were received in local budgets. This is compared with the same period of last year by almost 54 percent. These funds, left at the direct disposal of local khokimiyats, are aimed at developing territories, solving local problems and issues, which gives its expected results.

At the same time, at the meeting, deputies pointed out the presence of some shortcomings in the misuse of budget funds, their illegal spending. In particular, it was sharply criticized that during the reporting period some budget organizations committed financial offenses related to misuse of funds, that due to non-observance of payment discipline in certain sectors, receivables and payables arrears, especially overdue debts to the budget. 154 leading and officials of budgetary organizations in which, as a result of control measures revealed facts of violation of the budget legislation, were brought to administrative responsibility in the amount of 111.5 million soums, 88 million soums were recovered from them, this fact indicates the need for a serious approach to this issue.

On this basis, members of parliament emphasized the importance of strengthening executive discipline of officials of ministries and departments, local government bodies, and strict parliamentary control over timely and high-quality execution of the state budget and budgets of state trust funds in the future.

At the meeting, the execution of the main financial document of the country during the reporting period was examined in the spirit of criticism and analysis, based on modern requirements. Based on the results of heated discussions and discussions, a decision was made to approve the report on the implementation of the State budget and the budgets of state trust funds for the first half of 2019.